Cheers erupt.
Someone bumps my shoulder.
“You’ve got lucky energy,” Jesse says, handing me chips. “You should play.”
I hesitate.
“What if I lose it all?”
“Then we eat ramen.”
“That’s not very glamorous.”
He leans closer.
“I’m not here for glamorous.”
The warmth in his voice makes my stomach flip.
I place my bet.
The dice roll.
Win.
The table erupts.
“You see?” he says. “Winner’s look.”
We play for a while. The energy builds. We win more than we lose. Every time the dice tumble, my heart pounds.
Before one big roll, I turn to him.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“For luck.”
He raises a brow.
“A kiss,” I say.
His smile goes slow and wicked.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
He doesn’t rush it.
His hand cups my jaw, thumb brushing my cheek as he leans in.
This kiss is different again.
Deeper.
Heat flickering beneath it.
